A devastating fire broke out in a mixed-use building located in Gulzar Houz, near the historic Charminar in Hyderabad, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuries to several others. The blaze rapidly engulfed the structure, which housed both residential apartments and commercial spaces, leading to a major emergency response. The incident has caused significant concern, highlighting safety challenges in densely populated and multi-use buildings in urban areas. Authorities are likely to investigate the cause of the fire and assess building safety conditions in the vicinity to prevent such tragedies in the future.

On May 17, 2025, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) refuted allegations by Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi that External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Pakistan prior to Operation Sindoor. The MEA clarified that Pakistan was notified only after the operation commenced, labeling Gandhi's claim as a "misrepresentation of facts." Operation Sindoor, launched in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians, targeted nine terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, linked to groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. The Indian government emphasized the operation's precision and non-escalatory nature. Additionally, India dismissed Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets as misinformation, with the MEA urging global zero tolerance for terrorism. (PC: Sputnik India)

A devastating fire erupted in a building at Gulzar Houz near Hyderabad's historic Charminar on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 17 people and injuring several others. The structure, housing both residential apartments and commercial establishments, was rapidly engulfed in flames. Emergency services responded promptly to control the blaze and rescue survivors. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by local authorities. This tragic incident has raised serious concerns about fire safety measures in mixed-use buildings within densely populated urban areas. The proximity of the fire to the iconic Charminar underscores the vulnerability of historic sites to urban hazards. (PC: Millennium post)

On May 17, 2025, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two fugitives, Abdullah Faiyaz Shaikh and Talha Khan, at Mumbai Airport upon their arrival from Jakarta. Both are accused of being members of an ISIS sleeper cell involved in a 2023 case concerning the fabrication and testing of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in Pune. The duo had been evading authorities for two years and were apprehended based on intelligence inputs. They, along with eight others already in custody, allegedly conspired to commit terrorist acts aimed at disturbing India's peace and communal harmony, intending to wage war against the Government of India in furtherance of ISIS's agenda. Investigations are ongoing to uncover further links and evidence related to the broader network and plans. (PC: Swarajya)

On May 18, 2025, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) faced a significant setback as the PSLV-C61 mission failed to deploy the EOS-09 satellite. The launch from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre began as planned, with the first and second stages functioning nominally. However, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan confirmed that a sudden drop in chamber pressure during the third stage caused the satellite to fall short of its intended orbit. A Failure Analysis Committee has been formed to investigate the anomaly. Despite the failure, ISRO remains committed to future missions and technical advancements. (PC: ANI)    

In a significant security move, Jammu and Kashmir Police have invoked the Public Safety Act (PSA) against 23 individuals in Srinagar, labeling them as "subversive and criminal elements inimical to the security and public order of the nation." This marks the first time police have publicly disclosed the number of PSA cases in the city. The detained individuals, identified as terror associates of proscribed outfits, have been relocated to jails outside the Kashmir Valley. Police stated that despite multiple criminal cases and bail releases, these individuals continued disruptive activities. Concurrently, the State Investigation Agency (SIA) conducted raids across central and north Kashmir targeting militant sleeper cells, underscoring ongoing efforts to dismantle anti-national infrastructure in the region. (PC: AP)

On May 17, 2025, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar of informing Pakistan in advance about Operation Sindoor, labeling it a "crime" and demanding to know who authorized it. Gandhi shared a video, deemed "fake," allegedly showing Jaishankar admitting to prior notification. The Ministry of External Affairs refuted Gandhi's claims, stating that Pakistan was warned only after the operation commenced, not before. The controversy has intensified political debates over national security and the government's handling of cross-border operations. While the Congress party had earlier expressed support for the armed forces' actions against terror camps in Pakistan, Gandhi's recent statements have sparked calls for greater transparency and accountability. (PC: The Caravan & The Hindu)

Sunita Jamgade, 43, from Nagpur, vanished from Hunderman, a remote village near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kargil, Ladakh, sparking concerns she may have crossed into Pakistan-controlled territory to meet a Pakistani pastor she befriended online. Traveling with her 12-year-old son, whom she left behind before disappearing, her family was alerted by Kargil police five days ago. Previously, Sunita attempted to cross the Attari-Wagah border but was detained and later released due to mental health concerns. She had been living with her mother in Nagpur after separating from her husband eight years ago. Authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. (PC: The Indian Express)

On May 17, 2025, Indian authorities arrested six individuals, including Haryana-based travel blogger Jyoti Malhotra, for allegedly sharing sensitive information with Pakistani intelligence operatives. Malhotra, known for her YouTube channel "Travel with Jo," reportedly visited Pakistan in 2023 and established connections with Ehsan-ur-Rahim, a staff member at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. She stayed in contact with operatives via encrypted platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, allegedly sharing sensitive data and promoting pro-Pakistan content online. The arrests highlight growing concerns over digital espionage and national security threats. (PC: India Today)

In 2025, India’s government approved adding caste details to the national census for the first time since independence. This decision aims to provide accurate data on caste demographics to guide social justice and policy-making efforts. It is expected to influence reservation quotas in jobs, education, and political representation, especially for Other Backward Classes (OBCs). The move follows recent state-level caste surveys sparking national debate. The caste census will begin in 2025 and finish by 2026, shaping future welfare programs and electoral boundaries, marking a significant step in India’s socio-political landscape. (PC: Getty Images)